Stupidity is contagious. It gets us all from time to time. Even respectable companies can catch it. Let's take a look at five dumb financial events this week that may make your head spin.
1. United we strand
Technology dealt United Airlines parent UAL Group
Tribune and Google
2. Alphabetically, it should be A before Z
What was Microsoft
Let's go over this again. Apple sent out an invitation for a media event on Tuesday. Apple's only hint was a "Let's Rock" theme. Obviously this was going to be fresh iPod news. What did Mr. Softy think, that Apple was about to get into archaeology or enter the home rock-wall market? It should have waited, checked out what Apple had to offer, then come back quickly to top it.
Unfortunately, it didn't. Instead, it willingly stepped on the rug that Apple pulled out from under its feet.
3. I love you, I love you not
Chinese online gaming pioneer Shanda Interactive
Borrowing money to pay for a buyback is questionable, but honorable. Pegging that borrowed money to a share-dilutive convertible vehicle is self-defeating. Perhaps the biggest puzzler here is that Shanda's balance sheet closed out its latest quarter with $513 million in cash.
4. Spore or less
Electronic Arts
We get it, EA. We live in a world of petty thieves. It's a pity that you couldn't use Spore to create an entirely new civilization of do-gooders in which to operate financially. However, don't you get it? If you go too far with the copy protection, you risk alienating the honest people, too. They’ll get tired of jumping through the hoops and walking through your virtual metal detectors.
This is your brand at stake, gang. If you burn enough diehard gamers, they won't just get even -- they won't get Madden.
5. Don't pick sides, Starbucks
It won't be just beans percolating at your local Starbucks
Even more head-spinning is the possibility of "discussion nights," where patrons will be encouraged to partake in healthy debates of current events. You may appreciate the activism in theory, but how well do you think it will fly when someone with a Frappuccino craving walks unknowingly into a corner Starbucks that happens to be in the midst of a heated debate on Social Security or Darwinism? Will Starbucks employees have to bolt chairs to the ground in case fights break out? If this evolution means that Starbucks will become an aromatically pleasant version of The Jerry Springer Show, you'll find me outside, making a mint peddling Bad magazine.
Let's beat the Dumb drum:
- Last week's bonehead moves.
- The previous week's dumb moves.
- Three weeks ago, dummies were everywhere.